Patek Philippe - The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE Geneva Friday, May 12, 2017 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Patek Philippe
    Year: 1982
    Reference No: 2499/100
    Movement No: 869'433
    Case No: 2'797'931
    Material: 18K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, 13’’’Q, 23 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold PPCo pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an Extract from the Archives confirming manufacture in 1982 and subsequent sale on November 2nd, 1982.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Patek Philippe’s perpetual calendar chronograph reference 2499 is often considered by collectors as the crowning jewel of a collection. Each time a model appears, the auction room is filled with a sense of exhilaration. However, when a model is unknown like the present watch and appears on the market, exhilaration turns into euphoria.

    Reference 2499 is the proud heir to reference 1518, the very first perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch made in series in the history of horology. It replaced reference 1518 in 1951 and was made for a period of 34 years until 1985. The reference was produced in four different series.

    With the fourth series, Patek Philippe added /100 to the reference number which consequently became ref 2499/100. Considered the last true vintage Patek Philippe chronograph wristwatch, the present reference 2499/100 has an exceedingly unusual feature of having a sapphire display back.

    It was only in the late 1980s that brands started offering sapphire crystal backs on their timepieces. Before that, sapphire backs were reserved for deck watches and chronometers submitted to timing trials.

    Legend has it that a prominent European collector, wishing to be able to admire the superb hand finished movement of his reference 2499/100, contacted Patek Philippe in the early 1980s to obtain a sapphire crystal back for his timepiece. Obviously, the case back could not be simply cut open to have a crystal inserted. Therefore, Patek Philippe created a new caseback for the watch, similar in shape to the bezel and crystal. Since the gold hallmarks, case maker's mark, reference and case numbers could not be stamped in, or outside of the caseback, Patek Philippe decided to stamp all gold and case maker hallmarks beneath the lugs. The case and reference numbers were inscribed within the case, which we also see on the present example.

    Until today, only 3 reference 2499/100s with a display case back were known: one belonged to the collector having ordered the first watch, one was made for Mr. Philippe Stern and another was made for a Patek Philippe director. We are delighted to have discovered the present fourth model, previously unknown and fresh to the market which will certainly be the crown jewel of any collection.

  • Artist Biography

    Patek Philippe

    Swiss • 1839

    Since its founding in 1839, this famous Geneva-based firm has been surprising its clientele with superbly crafted timepieces fitted with watchmaking's most prestigious complications. Traditional and conservative designs are found across Patek Philippe's watches made throughout their history — the utmost in understated elegance.

    Well-known for the Graves Supercomplication — a highly complicated pocket watch that was the world’s most complicated watch for 50 years — this family-owned brand has earned a reputation of excellence around the world. Patek's complicated vintage watches hold the highest number of world records for results achieved at auction compared with any other brand. For collectors, key models include the reference 1518, the world's first serially produced perpetual calendar chronograph, and its successor, the reference 2499. Other famous models include perpetual calendars such as the ref. 1526, ref. 3448 and 3450, chronographs such as the reference 130, 530 and 1463, as well as reference 1436 and 1563 split seconds chronographs. Patek is also well-known for their classically styled, time-only "Calatrava" dress watches, and the "Nautilus," an iconic luxury sports watch first introduced in 1976 as the reference 3700 that is still in production today.

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170

Ref. 2499/100
A very fine and rare yellow gold perpetual calendar chronograph wristwatch with moonphases and glazed back

1982
37.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF270,000 - 380,000 
€250,000-352,000
$268,000-377,000

Sold for CHF466,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89

The Geneva Watch Auction: FIVE

Geneva Auctions 13 – 14 May 2017